House of the Dragon’s Daemon Targaryen has some big connections to Game of Thrones’ Three-Eyed Raven, or at least the man who became him before Bran Stark. That person is Brynden Rivers, aka Bloodraven, whose Three-Eyed Raven identity had long been theorized, but was essentially confirmed by House of the Dragon season 2.
Daemon’s vision of Daenerys Targaryen, the White Walkers, and more included Brynden, evidenced by the distinctive birthmark on his cheek. Their connection runs deeper though: Daemon is Brynden’s great-grandfather (via his and Rhaenyra’s youngest son, Viserys). There’s even a theory that Daemon is the Three-Eyed Raven before Brynden, but while that is unconfirmed, one definite link between them is Daemon’s sword.
Daemon Targaryen’s Sword Ends Up With Brynden Rivers After House Of The Dragon
Dark Sister Still Has An Epic Role To Play In HOTD
Daemon wields the Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister, in House of the Dragon season 1 and 2, and he’ll need it in season 3 as well. The weapon will actually become even more important, as the Rogue Prince uses it in his fight with his nephew, Aemond Targaryen, in what’s called the Battle Above the Gods Eye. The pair and their dragons, Caraxes and Vhagar, clash in an epic battle that’s one of the most fierce and brutal events of the Dance of the Dragons.
The battle ends when Daemon leaps from Caraxes onto Vhagar, and drives Dark Sister through Aemond’s empty eye socket. All four combatants then go crashing into the Gods Eye lake, with none of them surviving (though Daemon’s body is never found). When Aemond’s body is eventually recovered years later, Dark Sister is still embedded in his eye socket. The blade is passed on to Daemon’s grandson, Aemon Targaryen, aka the Dragonknight (not the same as Maester Aemon from Game of Thrones), one of the greatest and noblest knights in Westeros history.
| All Known Targaryens Who Wielded Dark Sister |
|---|
| Visenya Targaryen |
| Maegor I Targaryen |
| Jaehaerys I Targaryen |
| Baelon Targaryen (son of Jaehaerys I) |
| Daemon Targaryen |
| Aemon Targaryen (son of Viserys II) |
| Brynden Rivers |
After Aemon, the Valyrian steel sword ends up in the possession of Brynden Rivers, one of the bastard children of King Aegon IV Targaryen (Aemon’s older brother). Brynden was more known for his skills as an archer, but was said to have been proficient with the sword as well, albeit not quite to the level of Daemon or Aemon.
What Happened To Dark Sister Is A Game Of Thrones Mystery
The Sword’s Current Whereabouts Are Unknown
Dark Sister’s history dates back to before Aegon’s Conquest, which itself was around 130 years before House of the Dragon’s main timeline. That only extends for around another century, though: it’s known that Brynden Rivers had Dark Sister from around 205 AC until he left for the Wall in 233 AC (a little over 160 years before Game of Thrones’ timeline). Beyond that, nothing has been written as to the sword’s whereabouts.
Martin hasn’t confirmed in his works whether Bloodraven took the weapon to the Wall with him, but did say “Yes” when asked by @MeereeneseKnot from the History of Westeros podcast back in 2018. Given it’s Martin, then it’s reasonable to assume that is canon, which places the sword at the Wall during Brynden’s time there, 233-252 AC, during which period he rose up to become Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch.
That last year is when Brynden went missing during a ranging mission beyond the Wall, and he was officially never seen again. Of course, the truth is that he ended up becoming the Three-Eyed Raven, which may well have been his true purpose for that mission in the first place, though that story remains a complete mystery too. It’s fair to think he had Dark Sister with him at that point as well, but its whereabouts are unknown from then and never revealed in Game of Thrones, nor the A Song of Ice and Fire books (yet).
Will The Winds Of Winter Reveal What Happened To Dark Sister?
Martin Could Finally Solve The Game Of Thrones Mystery
Dark Sister’s location was not revealed by the time of Game of Thrones’ ending, but the same may not be true of the books. Indeed, when The Winds of Winter eventually releases, it’s certainly plausible that the Valyrian steel sword will make an appearance, especially as it will likely be diving much deeper into Bran’s time with the Three-Eyed Crow (the book version of the Raven), and perhaps even fleshing out more of Bloodraven’s backstory.
If Brynden did indeed take Dark Sister with him beyond the Wall, then it’s very likely the sword remains in the cave with him, Bran, Meera, Hodor, and Summer.
If Brynden did indeed take Dark Sister with him beyond the Wall, then it’s very likely the sword remains in the cave with him, Bran, Meera Reed, Hodor, and Summer (assuming Jojen dies like in Game of Thrones). With the battle against the Others set to intensify, then the sword would certainly be a useful weapon to have if Valyrian steel can kill White Walkers in the books like it does in the show (which isn’t confirmed yet, but doesn’t seem much of a stretch), and would clear up a loose end.
It’s noted the weapon has a slender blade, likely made for a woman, which fits with Visenya being its first known wielder. That could then play into Meera using it, since she’s in the right place, and killed a White Walker in Game of Thrones (albeit with dragonglass). Or it could eventually end up with Arya Stark, a known admirer of Visenya, at least according to the show.
On the other hand, if Brynden didn’t take it with him after all, then the sword would presumably still be somewhere in King’s Landing. That would make it more of a surprise if it turned up in The Winds of Winter, given it hasn’t been found yet, though it’s not impossible it happens. The whereabouts of Dark Sister – and Blackfyre, another Valyrian steel sword of House Targaryen that’s long been missing – is a compelling Game of Thrones mystery, so it would be cool if Martin did finally solve it once and for all.
